A Pig’s Kidney in a Human Body?
Sounds like science fiction — but in 2024, it became science fact. A team at Massachusetts General Hospital successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a living 62-year-old man with end-stage kidney disease. This was the first time such a procedure was done in a living human, with immediate kidney function and no need for dialysis post-surgery.
It’s not just a medical breakthrough. It’s the beginning of a potential solution to the global organ shortage crisis.
What Made This Pig Kidney Special?
The pig was no ordinary animal — it was genetically engineered with a stunning 69 edits:
-
3 xenoantigens removed to prevent hyperacute rejection (called “3KO”) -
7 human genes inserted to control inflammation, blood clotting, and immune response
-
Porcine endogenous retroviruses inactivated to reduce infection risk
This was gene editing at its most sophisticated, using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to reshape the pig’s immune profile so that its kidney could be accepted by a human bodyNEJMoa2412747.
Who Was the Patient?
The recipient was a 62-year-old man with a long history of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. He had previously received a human kidney transplant in 2018, which failed due to BK virus infection. With no viable dialysis access left and no living donor, his chances of surviving five more years were just 16%.
The pig kidney was his last hope.
The Surgery and Initial Recovery
The transplant surgery took place in March 2024. Within 5 minutes, the transplanted kidney began producing urine. Over the next two days, it excreted more than 6 liters of urine. By Day 6, the patient’s creatinine dropped from 11.8 to 2.2 mg/dL, and dialysis was no longer needed.
Despite a complex immunosuppression regimen involving seven drugs, the patient tolerated it well at first. The pig kidney functioned reliably with no evidence of hyperacute rejection.
A Bump in the Road: Rejection
On Day 8, the patient’s creatinine levels rose again, accompanied by fever and decreased urine output. A biopsy revealed T-cell–mediated rejection (Banff grade 2A) — but no antibody-mediated rejection, which had plagued previous attempts in deceased patientsNEJMe2504399.
The team responded quickly with steroids, anti-T-cell therapy, and a complement inhibitor. Kidney function recovered, and the patient was discharged by Day 18.
A Sudden Ending
Just as the case seemed to mark a triumph, tragedy struck. On Day 52 post-transplant, the patient experienced sudden cardiac arrest and passed away. An autopsy showed severe coronary artery disease and old myocardial scarring, but no signs of kidney rejection.
The pig kidney was still working.
What We Learned
Leading transplant expert Dr. Sandy Feng outlined three key lessons from this case:
1. 
It works — at least for now
The genetically modified pig kidney functioned successfully for 52 days in a living human without major complications.
2. 
Immunosuppression is still a challenge
Despite a heavy regimen of immune-modulating drugs, T-cell rejection still occurred. The long-term safety of such intense immunosuppression is unknown.
3. Patient selection matters
The patient’s severe cardiovascular disease likely contributed to his death. Future trials must carefully select recipients with stable comorbid conditions.
What’s Next?
The FDA has now authorized clinical trials for pig kidney transplantation involving nine new patients. While hurdles remain — including rejection, infection risk, and immune management — this first successful case provides critical evidence that xenotransplantation could become a viable, life-saving option for thousands of patients on organ waitlists.
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Patient Age | 62, male with diabetic kidney failure |
| Animal Organ Used | 69-gene-edited pig kidney |
| Surgery Date | March 2024 |
| Kidney Function Outcome | Immediate function, dialysis-free |
| Complication | T-cell rejection (reversed) |
| Final Outcome | Died from unrelated heart disease |
Final Thought
The pig kidney didn’t fail — the heart did.
This historic case proves that with the right science, life-saving organs from animals are not just possible — they are already happening.
Would you accept a pig kidney to save your life?